Wallasea Wetlands guided walk April 19

As part of our 'Arrivals & Departures' series of guided walks, Saturday found me at 10 am leading a group of 14 along the new sea-wall overlooking the newly reclaimed wetland area.

A biting north easterly made viewing at times difficult, but at least it didn't rain!

The new wetland area was opened up to the sea in 2006, and already is looking superb for wildfowl and waders.

One of the new interpretation boards

One of the first birds we saw was a fine summer-plumaged black-tailed godwit, and close by were another half dozen. These are Islandic birds, visiting the east coast of England in Autumn and winter, it has suffered a large breeding population decline in the past and is now a rare breeder in the UK., so seeing them in full breeding plumage was a real treat.
Little egrets were seen well, often in the borrow-dyke or flying over the farmland. The little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996. Its colonization followed naturally from a range expansion into western and northern France in previous decades. It is now at home on numerous south coast sites, both as a breeding species and as a winter visitor.

Along with oystercatchers and ringed plovers we soon found a small group of avocets. A distinctively-patterned black and white wader with a long up-curved beak. It is the emblem of the RSPB and symbolises the bird protection movement in the UK more than any other species. Its return in the 1940s and subsequent increase in numbers represents one of the most successful conservation and protection projects.

Shelduck, mallard and teal were seen in good numbers, along with redshank and two grey plovers.

Occasionally the wind would ease slightly and skylarks could be heard singing over the farmland. A few swallows were feeding low along the seawall at times coming very close.


A very pale looking winter plumaged godwit was soon identified as a bar-tailed allowing excellent comparison with the black-taileds we saw earlier. Note the slightly up-turned bill and shorter legged appearance of the bar-tailed (below top).


















An excellent two hour walk finished off nicely with three corn buntings singing around the farm buildings.

The next in this series of walks is at Holehaven Creek, Canvey on Tuesday 22 April followed by Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea on Saturday 26 April. Cost £3 adults and £1.50 children (with a £1 discount for RSPB members).Booking essential, call 01268 559158. Click here to book on-line for this event.

Images:
Wallasea Island RSPB reserve, 2005. Aerial view - RSPB (rspb-images.com)
black-tailed godwit - Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)
little egret - Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)
avocet -Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Sign showing managed realignment / retreat, Wallasea Island - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)